2016 Ford Fiesta as a TOAD?

[Shaky]

I realize I'll need to use a dolly, but does anyone tow a Fiesta ST 6 speed manual with a gasser? I'm running a 460 Ford with the Banks Power Pack on a 36' class A.. We are considering a TOAD over renting a car whenever we want to do a side trip, or run to the store for provisions. Any advice is appreciated.

[BFlinn181]

Check your manual, it shows the '16 Fiesta can be towed 4 down.

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo...G1586150&div=f

[Shaky]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Check your manual, it shows the '16 Fiesta can be towed 4 down.

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo...G1586150&div=f

Thanks for getting back to me. I haven't purchased the vehicle yet so your link to the manual is appreciated. The salesman told me I'd have drill holes in the grill to facilitate the tow bars. So much for his info. The car is light, fun to drive and has gotten great reviews. Looks like a good TOAD candidate to me. Unless I can find a crew cab 4WD short bed compact truck that doesn't need to have the drive line disconnected to tow 4 down and is as light weight the Fiesta will get my money.

[Pepper2]

Downloadable Dinghy Guides | MotorHome Magazine

This guide will take you up to 2015. I'm not sure if they have updated to 2016 yet. Check their site.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Shaky-

Nice coach. I didn't know there were tag-axle gassers. What I could find on the Web indicated the coach's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) may be 20,500 pounds and its GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) may be 25,500 pounds. The difference is 5,000 pounds, which will be your tow limit, unless the hitch is rated lower than that. I couldn't find info on the hitch rating. You should confirm these numbers by comparing them with the labels on your coach and hitch. If your limit is indeed 5,000 pounds, you should be in great shape to tow the Fiesta; I found a curb weight of 2,720 pounds for the 2016 ST model (you should confirm that, too).

Your Ford salesman was correct, in that when you install a tow bracket on the Fiesta you may have to cut the grille for the towbar to reach the bracket arms. Here is a link to a Roadmaster file that shows the installation procedure for one of their tow brackets. The grille-trim instructions are on pages 8 and 9. I expect tow brackets from Blue Ox, Demco, etc. would require similar grille modifications.

[Shaky]

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

Shaky-

Nice coach. I didn't know there were tag-axle gassers. What I could find on the Web indicated the coach's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) may be 20,500 pounds and its GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) may be 25,500 pounds. The difference is 5,000 pounds, which will be your tow limit, unless the hitch is rated lower than that. I couldn't find info on the hitch rating. You should confirm these numbers by comparing them with the labels on your coach and hitch. If your limit is indeed 5,000 pounds, you should be in great shape to tow the Fiesta; I found a curb weight of 2,720 pounds for the 2016 ST model (you should confirm that, too).

Your Ford salesman was correct, in that when you install a tow bracket on the Fiesta you may have to cut the grille for the towbar to reach the bracket arms. Here is a link to a Roadmaster file that shows the installation procedure for one of their tow brackets. The grille-trim instructions are on pages 8 and 9. I expect tow brackets from Blue Ox, Demco, etc. would require similar grille modifications.

You're correct.If that's the case I'll have to shell out around $1800 to get a dolly. Darned the bad luck. I could get a Fiat 500 and tow 4 down, but it doesn't handle as well and even their high performance model is under powered. Besides that... I just don't like the looks as well. Thanks for helping me out.

[JoeCar]

Here's another link to some pictures, except for BlueOx.
Search for Blue Ox Baseplate | Blue Ox

I recently installed the BlueOx baseplate on our 2015 Ford Focus. With the detachable arms removed and the black rubber plugs installed, you can barely see anything. However, you also have to have the electrical plug and the break-away switch which in my case actually shows more than the baseplate. Good choice of cars, they perform very well in SCCA Solo/Autocross events.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Shaky-

It sounds as if you really like the Fiesta ST.

If it were I, I'd take the small hit in appearance to avoid having to own and use a dolly.

(Everyone else: Please, I don't want to reignite the dolly-vs-four-down debate!)

That said, you aren't I, and that's a positive thing for the world in general (two of me would be one too many!)

If you look on etrailer.com, there are additional pictures and installation videos of the tow brackets.

[c_oneil]

If the Ford salesman is telling you that 4 down towing is allowed on the Fiesta ST I would double check that info. I looked on the Ford web site (RV & Trailer Towing Guides | fleet.ford.com) and that says the Fiesta manual and auto transmissions are OK but not the ST model. Can't tell you what the difference is but it is NOT listed as 4 down towable.

[JoeCar]

Originally Posted by c_oneil

If the Ford salesman is telling you that 4 down towing is allowed on the Fiesta ST I would double check that info. I looked on the Ford web site (RV & Trailer Towing Guides | fleet.ford.com) and that says the Fiesta manual and auto transmissions are OK but not the ST model. Can't tell you what the difference is but it is NOT listed as 4 down towable.

This is the best source of information. The regular Fiesta and Focus have a 5-speed manual. The ST Fiesta and Focus have a 6-speed manual. I don't know why, but the 6-speed manual transaxle is not authorized for Flat-4 towing.

[Rockwood27]

Both the Focus and Fiesta ST CANNOT be towed 4 down because of the unique 6 speed transmission. They must be dolly towed like I do with my Focus ST.

[poptart69]

I tow a 2014 fiesta titanium, manual transmission. Blue ox , can't tell is there. Fun car to drive. Put it in nutual and ready to go.

[mpinva]

I tow a '12 Fiesta SE. Great little car, plenty of power, handles well with upsized wheels and tires, and roomy inside.

[KJcachers]

Originally Posted by poptart69

I tow a 2014 fiesta titanium, manual transmission. Blue ox , can't tell is there. Fun car to drive. Put it in nutual and ready to go.

Can you tell me about your tow set up? which brand? anything extra like battery disconnects, braking system, lights, etc. Looking at the 2016 Fiesta this week to be a TOAD and my wife's 2 mile a day daily driver.